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way2roll's avatar
way2roll
Navigator II
Oct 23, 2024

Way Elite solar charger/controller malfunction

Upon getting my RV out of storage - 2023 FR sunseeker 2400 mbs - (was only left alone for 2 weeks) the chassis battery was almost completely dead. The solar is supposed to keep both batteries topped off. The way elite controller is showing all zeros for the chassis battery and it seems to be stuck in night mode. Also, some of the controller wires to the battery look burnt near the connections. There seems to be no information on way elite troubleshooting, manuals etc. I think they are out of business. I unplugged the controller panel in hopes to reset it but it didn’t work. Is there a plug and play replacement for this? It's a 100w panel with a dual charger/controller. So many reviews/issues with the way Elite so I definitely want a replacement without breaking the bank and easy to install. Solar is not my forte. Hopefully some of the old gang are still here to chime in. Posting this in the FR forum as well and maybe IRV2.  Thanks.

  • It looks like you have everything being taken care of. Thank you for the update.

    😊

     

  • Update - the Forest River regional rep just called me. Despite being out of warranty, they are going to cover everything in good will. They advised me to take it to my dealer and they will cover a new controller (either an R LUX, or a Go Power) as well as a new chassis battery. This is my second FR Rv (previously a Cedar Creek FW) and I have to say I have been really pleased with their customer support. I've owned a few other brands and most are usually a PITA to get them to cover anything in warranty let alone out of warranty. Happy customer! Thanks for all the replies on this one. 

    • Grit_dog's avatar
      Grit_dog
      Navigator

      That’s great to hear.  IMO they are only fixing half your problems. 
      solar controller crapped out. No big deal. Easy replacement. 
      battery dead.  Great they are replacing it but first it “should” have lasted longer if it’s actually a bad battery. But entirely possible it’s just a defective battery that won’t charge. 
      However you suspect a parasitic draw and that literally takes 2 min to diagnose. 
      If that the case, that is the most important thing the dealer needs to fix. And assuming you better get it now while they’re being generous about goodwill warranty. A battery and cheap charge controller are just parts replacing. 
      I’d diagnose the presence of a draw before even taking it in, so you can be confident in what they need to fix. 
      No, it shouldn’t go dead in 2 weeks. Or 2 months.  Maintainer shouldn’t be mandatory for a couple months in nice weather. 

      • way2roll's avatar
        way2roll
        Navigator II

        Personally, I think the chassis battery is fine. Takes and holds a charge fine. It just went dead sitting 2 weeks in storage. I think Mercedes nature of the beast with all the electronics. It was enough charge to start it but barely. I've had similar experiences with an e350 and c300 I previously owned, and a bmw when they sit for 2 weeks. Heck, my 37 year old jeep does it too.

    • StirCrazy's avatar
      StirCrazy
      Moderator

      to bad they wouldn't let you pick the brand, If you have the choice out of thoes two I would go with the go power, even though I wouldn't recomend them to some one spending their own money.  not the same company they were when they were Canadian owned.

  • Wish I could help, but my only solar knowledge is rooftop inverter based on a house.

  • what controler is it? it might be the perfect opertunity to upgrade.

    • way2roll's avatar
      way2roll
      Navigator II

      It's a Way Elite - which is apparently out of business stemming from a lot of problems according to other forums. Yes, I need to replace it. That's really the crux of my question, with what?

      FR is looking into a good faith replacement under warranty (I am a few months out of my factory warranty). If they don't cover it then yes, I need to replace it myself. Doesn't need to be expensive or complicated. The controller is really only for a trickle charge to keep the batts topped off in storage. I have one 100w panel, and 1 house batt and one chassis battery. (Technically I have 2 house batts in parallel, but the controller sees it as one).  Based on that I really only need a 20A controller with slots for dual battery and I would like a separate readout panel - if anything to ensure it's working and cover the existing hole for the readout panel on the one I have now. Most have a readout on the controller itself, which is kind of silly since it's buried under the cabinets where you'll never be able to read it. I don't know much about controllers but from what I am learning, they are all pretty much the same with some being better quality than others. Ones for dual batteries seem to be harder to find, and ones with a separate readout panel even harder. And like I said, I don't know good from bad.  

      So, any recommendations for a controller with a remote readout for a 100W panel, and 2 batts. 

      • StirCrazy's avatar
        StirCrazy
        Moderator

        THIS one looks like it will fit the bill.

        do you have any plans to maybe add more solar later or change to a bigger panel?  I would ge tthe 30 amp version, then you could change your 100 to a 350 or 450watt panel, this will let you bulk charge the main bank and trickel charge the secondary at the same time and they can be different battery types.  so you could have LFP for your house and a normal lead acid for the starting.  

        you can buy a remote monitor for it or just use bluetooth i believe

  • You have a very serious short somewhere in your system. The burnt wires fuse did not blow soon enough to save your circuits. 

     

    • way2roll's avatar
      way2roll
      Navigator II

      So, examining it more closely, the "burnt" sections are in each place where the heat shrink tubing was put over the connection and it looks like they got a little happy with the torch. It's a little scorched on the wire insulation - outside rather than coming from the wire itself. Fuses are good, so I think I can rule out a short. After I posted this, I called my Dealer and FR. Both of which I have been very happy with so far and my second FR product purchased from them. It's only just out of warranty so the FR rep said he can probably get a good faith replacement for me and he'll get back to me. On the off chance they can't/won't I'll still need a recommendation on an aftermarket charger/controller. Seems they run anywhere from $50-$200 and I wouldn't know a good one from Shinola. 

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